Cardiologist Nominated to Be Head of FDA

February 25, 2016

The Obama administration nominated and the Senate has confirmed Dr. Robert Califf, a cardiologist and clinical researcher long affiliated with Duke University, to be the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

Dr. Califf has committed his career to advancing the public health throughout his role as a physician, researcher, and leader in the fields of science and medicine. Dr. Califf, 63, served in several roles at Duke University Medical Center from 1982 to 2015, including as director of the cardiac care unit. He founded the Duke University Clinical Research Institute in 2006 and was its director. He has been involved in a number of professional organizations, including committees of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

Dr. Califf became the deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco at the FDA in March.

The previous commissioner, Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, led the agency for almost six years. Dr. Hamburg announced in February that she would leave her post at the end of March. Dr. Stephen Ostroff has been the acting commissioner.